Gaizka Mendieta

[Tee]

You did spell Roma wrong - the correct spelling is L-A-Z-I-O.

Serves him right for moving to that fascist kennel

[dirty_sanchez]

He's past it. He jumped the shark when he moved to Nazio

[carheex]

don't think he would be worth getting his legs are gone but he was an OUTRAGOUS player a few years back!

You don't "need" legs (well, technically you do!) - people seem more concerned these days about pace than skill. Fowler has proved it isn't a necessity if you have genuine talent. So did Molby. So did Macallister. So did Hyypia. etc etc etc etc. That said, I wouldn't want him though - I didn't even realise he was still on boro's books. Can't have been that good for the last few years.

[bazza76]

Would rather take Rochembak

[Rich]

Can't stand Rochemback ever since his lucky hit against us for Barcelona.

[saj]

I understand Gaizka Mendieta is available as Middlesborough are keen on cutting their wage bill (hence Parlour and Ehiogu have been released and Maccarone is also on his way). I know he's nearly 33 but a few years ago he was probably the best right midfielder in the world, Beckham included, and was one of the best passers of a ball I've ever seen. He played in 2 CL finals before being sold by Valencia to Lazio for €43 million (about £30m) in 2001. He's won almost 40 caps for Spain and also played for Barcelona in the 2002/03 season.

I'm not sure if he left the Mestalla before Benitez's tenure but Rafa and Pako will certainly know all about him. He is friendly with fellow Basque Xabi Alonso and our other members of the Spanish squad. He's also a good professional off the pitch (have you ever heard anything bad about him?) and is happy to be part of the squad. I'm sure he'd jump at the chance of joining us and is eligible to play against his old club Barca.

Considering he is available on a free or on loan and we need experienced cover on the right of midfield (he can also play in the centre) is Mendieta worth a shout or does he fall into the Fowler "has been" or Zenden "never been" category?

No offence mate, but he is a central attacking midfielder and has never played on the wing - if he has played on the wing, it was probably because there was an injury. I've watched him play many times for Valencia, Barcelona, Lazio, Spain and Middlesborough and his career declined the minute he moved to Lazio. He is a poor player now, injury plagued and not up to the standards of the premiership. If he aint good enough for 'Boro, then how the **** can he be good enough for us? Please people, let common sense prevail. He is no Gary Mac and never will be.

[dirty_sanchez]

You don't "need" legs (well, technically you do!) - people seem more concerned these days about pace than skill. Fowler has proved it isn't a necessity if you have genuine talent. So did Molby. So did Macallister. So did Hyypia. etc etc etc etc. That said, I wouldn't want him though - I didn't even realise he was still on boro's books. Can't have been that good for the last few years.

In fairness, Fowler's lack of legs has been a limiting factor and part of the reason why he doesn't play that much for us.

[Ron_Mexico]

the mrs is boro mad so ive seen a few of their games the last few seasons.....mendieta is finished. last season he could raise his game at times and produce vintage mendieta performances, in europe he was immense and he was influential in the victories over chavski, the scum, and arsenal last season. even then he was struggling to keep up with the pace of the game and very rarely lasted a full 90. this season hes a step slower and just looks past it. i dont think we need him at all, maybe when he was the most dynamic midfielder in europe, but not anymore

[Shaggy]

No offence mate, but he is a central attacking midfielder and has never played on the wing - if he has played on the wing, it was probably because there was an injury. I've watched him play many times for Valencia, Barcelona, Lazio, Spain and Middlesborough and his career declined the minute he moved to Lazio. He is a poor player now, injury plagued and not up to the standards of the premiership. If he aint good enough for 'Boro, then how the **** can he be good enough for us? Please people, let common sense prevail. He is no Gary Mac and never will be.

He has. I saw him many time play on the right side of midfield for Valencia.

[saj]

He has. I saw him many time play on the right side of midfield for Valencia.

In the Valencia team that he played in: Angulo played as the right winger, and Kily Gonzalez played on the left. He played as an attacking midfielder. He was paired with Gerard/ Baraja in midfield. Even when they played with a 5 man midfield, he almost played as a striker.

[Shaggy]

Yeah cos Angulo was fit every week and they never made any positional changes

I've definitely seen him play right mid mate, whatever anyone says. You could call it a nominal right sided role, á la Gerrard.

Anyway, we ain't signing him so.....

[dmulla]

I understand Gaizka Mendieta is available as Middlesborough are keen on cutting their wage bill (hence Parlour and Ehiogu have been released and Maccarone is also on his way). I know he's nearly 33 but a few years ago he was probably the best right midfielder in the world, Beckham included

I stopped reading after I saw this.......couldn't take you seriously

[Jazzmaster]

does he fall into the Fowler "has been" or Zenden "never been" category?

Yes and yes

[rushscored4]

No offence mate, but he is a central attacking midfielder and has never played on the wing - if he has played on the wing, it was probably because there was an injury. I've watched him play many times for Valencia, Barcelona, Lazio, Spain and Middlesborough and his career declined the minute he moved to Lazio. He is a poor player now, injury plagued and not up to the standards of the premiership. If he aint good enough for 'Boro, then how the **** can he be good enough for us? Please people, let common sense prevail. He is no Gary Mac and never will be.

He has. I saw him many time play on the right side of midfield for Valencia.

In the Valencia team that he played in: Angulo played as the right winger, and Kily Gonzalez played on the left. He played as an attacking midfielder. He was paired with Gerard/ Baraja in midfield. Even when they played with a 5 man midfield, he almost played as a striker.

Yeah cos Angulo was fit every week and they never made any positional changes I've definitely seen him play right mid mate, whatever anyone says. You could call it a nominal right sided role, á la Gerrard. Anyway, we ain't signing him so.....

As Shaggy says, Mendieta has OFTEN played at right midfield and done an excellent job for his clubs and national side. We obviously need more strength in depth in the middle as well as the right and, as far as I'm concerned, the Basque can provide both. All I was asking was whether you thought he was still up to the job. As for "we aint signing him" can you also tell me the winning Lotto numbers for Saturday please?

I stopped reading after I saw this.......couldn't take you seriously

So you're genuinely saying that Beckham wasn't considered the best passer of the ball from right midfield at that time? It must have been a different player I saw destroy us at Anfield all those years...

Yes and yes

Thanks for your invaluable input...

[Kaip]

As Shaggy says, Mendieta has OFTEN played at right midfield and done an excellent job for his clubs and national side. We obviously need more strength in depth in the middle as well as the right and, as far as I'm concerned, the Basque can provide both. All I was asking was whether you thought he was still up to the job. As for "we aint signing him" can you also tell me the winning Lotto numbers for Saturday please?


So you're genuinely saying that Beckham wasn't considered the best passer of the ball from right midfield at that time? It must have been a different player I saw destroy us at Anfield all those years...


Thanks for your invaluable input...

I think RS4 as cracked the multi quote